Margate manager Steve Watt believes striker Frannie Collin is looking better than ever.

The former Gillingham and Maidstone United forward scored both goals as the Gate beat Egham Town 2-0 in the FA Trophy second qualifying round on Saturday and boss Watt says he has seldom seen his one-time Stones team-mate look so sharp.

Watt, whose side play at Bath City in the third qualifying round on Tuesday, said: “For me Frannie has been one of our best performers when he’s played this season. What with his workrate and what he does for the team, he’s second to none.

“I’d go as far as to say he’s irreplaceable. He’s been playing out of position at times but he just does what is needed for the team. He’s the fittest I’ve see him.”

Watt feels the fact that he is now able to get the front three of Collin, Jay May and Jordan Chiedozie out more regularly has been one of the key factors in Margate’s excellent recent form.

Saturday’s Trophy win was their fifth in a row and the Gate have won six of their last seven matches, with the other (against Met Police) drawn.

Watt said: “I just think we’re starting to get the results our performances have
deserved.“We’re getting better at seeing games out and a big part of that is having Frannie, Jordan and Jay all available.

"I like the partnership Frannie and Jordan are forging. The work they do for each other and their movement is first class.

“Jordan is going from strength to strength while Jay is vastly experienced and brings another dimension to our game. When you’ve got those strikers fit it becomes a lot easier to keep teams occupied.”

Watt still thinks it's unfair that Gate have to been asked to make the 400-mile round trip to Bath midweek, but says any sense of grievance will need to be shelved ahead of the tie at Twerton Park.

He added: "I think we're at a huge disadvantage having to go there on a Tuesday but the decision's been made so we just have to get on with it.

"It's going to be tough and I'm sure some people will see us as underdogs, but we've got a number of players who have played at Conference South, or higher, so they won't be fazed.

"We'll certainly be going there to try and win, I won't be putting six, eight people behind the ball in the hope of getting a draw."

Monday’s Trophy first round draw handed the Blues another potential away tie, against either Hendon or Slough Town on Saturday, December 16.